Chapter 24 Willow
Dandelion.
"Noona you're being superstitious."
Alexander's voice was flat and dismissive, of course he didn't believe in fate.
Mrs. Winifred scoffed,"Hmp. What do you know about fate, you stubborn boy? You think everything can be explained with logic and spreadsheets."
"Well there's always a logical reason for everything." He insisted.
"Then explain how you two found each other again after all these years." She raised an eyebrow, challenging him.
"You'll say it's pure coincidence now"
Alexander opened his mouth to retaliate, then closed it seeing that she had predicted what he would have said.
I bit back a smile, one score for Grandma.
Nicholas cleared his throat from across the room. "Well, this has been... an exciting reveal. But Xavier and I should probably head out."
"Yes," Xavier agreed quickly.
"Congratulations again on your marriage, Alex and Dandelion." Xavier said hurriedly moving towards the door, "Happy birthday once again Mrs. Graham." Mrs. Winifred beamed at them.
"Thank you both for the visit. Come back soon, you hear me? Don't make this old woman wait months before seeing you again."
Nicholas grinned, "Of course Grandma wini"
Then he shot me a wink as he passed. "Good luck, Mrs. Graham. You're going to need it."
I managed a weak smile in return.
And then they were gone, and suddenly the room felt much smaller.
Alexander stood. "We should go too. It's getting late, and--"
"Absolutely not." Mrs. Winifred's tone left no room for argument. "The both of you are staying here, no negotiation."
My eyes widened, Overnight? Here?
"But Noona, we didn't even bring anything"
"I'll have Walter fetch whatever you need from the penthouse." She waved off his protest like he was a fly. "I haven't seen my grandson in months, and I just met my new granddaughter-in-law. You think I'm letting you leave after a few hours? Oh Please."
Alexander's jaw clenched in frustration "We really should--"
"Alexander Angelo Graham." Mrs. Winifred's voice turned sharp. "Don't make me pull rank."
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. We'll stay."
Panic fluttered in my chest, but I managed to force it down in, It's fine. It's just one night. You can handle one night.
Tristan, who'd been silent through most of the conversation, finally stood. He straightened his jacket and turned to me, his expression still unreadable.
"Welcome to the family..." He paused, his gaze locking onto mine. "Sister-in-law."
The way he said it made my skin ripple, it wasn't threatening, exactly. But also not friendly either.
"Thank you, brother-in-law,"I replied back using his own words, but my voice came out smaller than I intended.
He held my gaze for another beat, then nodded once and left without another word.
The door clicked shut behind him.
What was that about?
His mom rose next, smoothing down her dress with practiced elegance, for smm reason she had been quite uneasy throughout the birthday party.
"I should retire as well. It's been a long evening." She smiled at me, that same fake smile she had been flashing at me since the beginning. "Welcome to the family, dear. I'm sure we'll get to know each other very well."
"Of course, thank you," I said again and nodded politely, because what else could I do?
She glided out, leaving just the three of us.
Alexander muttered under his breath, "Seems like they aren't really happy I got married."
Mrs. Winifred's head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing. "Don't say that about your stepmother and brother."
"I'm just stating facts"
"You're being paranoid." She crossed her arms. "They're probably just upset you didn't invite them to the wedding. A courthouse ceremony? No family present? Of course they're hurt."
Alexander scoffed but didn't argue.
Mrs. Winifred's expression softened slightly. "Though I do think you owe everyone a proper wedding. A real celebration, not some rushed courthouse signing."
Oh no.
"Noona please"
"I'm not asking, Alexander. I'm telling you, you will have to give this nice girl a proper wedding soon. With flowers and music and a dress that costs more than a car. Understood?"
Alexander looked like he wanted to argue, but then he just nodded.
"Fine."
I stared at him, he knows our contract is only for a year, why is he giving her false hope. This keeps getting worse and worse.
Mrs. Winifred smiled triumphantly. "Good. Now that's settled."
"How's Willow been?" Alexander asked.
My heart beat increased, Willow, his son, his child I wasn't supposed to know about. The one he mentioned in the contract as off-limits.
Mrs. Winifred laughed. "That stubborn, playful boy of yours. He's been driving the staff crazy, just like you did at his age." She shook her head fondly, but I caught the hint of frustration in her tone.
What a poor woman, raising her great grandson while her grandson was busy working himself to death.
"You need to introduce Dandelion to Willow," Mrs. Winifred continued, looking at me now. "I have a feeling you two will get along wonderfully."
I forced a smile. "I'd love to meet him."
Liar, I yelled at myself internally.
I didn't want to meet Alexander's son, I didn't want to complicate this already impossible situation even more and definitely didn''t want to become a stepmom, the thought of pretending to be a stepmom to someone made my skin crawl, because how am I supposed to raise a child when I could barely take care of myself.
Mrs. Winifred yawned delicately. "Well, I'm exhausted. It's been a long day." She stood from the couch. "Alexander, take Dandelion to your room so she can rest."
Alexander's expression went carefully blank. "Of course." I froze, He didn't even argue with her.
She nodded with satisfaction, "Goodnight, my dears. Sleep well okay."
I nodded politely, and then she was gone, leaving us standing there in awkward silence.
I turned to Alexander with wide eyes. "Your room?"
"Follow me." He said indifferently, leaving me still in shock.
Did he really want us to share a room?